SASKATOON – Although they’re not saying what exactly is on the table, the Manitoba Women’s Institute is considering a major change.
The institute is holding 15 renewal meetings for its 950 members, scheduled to be held throughout Manitoba this month, said Dawn Harris, of the organization’s restructuring committee.
While Harris would not reveal what the five-member committee is proposing, she said its intention is to “ensure Manitoba Women’s Institute meets the needs of all women in rural areas today, so that all women can look to the WI as an organization that can represent them.”
Read Also
Agriculture ministers agree to AgriStability changes
federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million
She said the committee wants to inform members first and get their response, before it announces the proposals publicly.
The committee plans to present four of its recommendations at the MWI annual meeting in April to the group’s 75 official voting delegates, Harris said. Other changes can be carried out by the board without changes to the organization’s bylaws.
Delegates at the 1994 conference raised concerns about falling membership. In 1990, the Manitoba Women’s Institute had 3,000 members compared to 1,000 today. Part of the problem is a difficulty in attracting young women who may be busy with on and off-farm jobs, as well as raising a family.
Financing is also difficult. A cut in provincial grant money in 1993 led to the formation of a restructuring committee.
Grant not discussed
The province gave the institute $36,000 last year, but the 1995 grant was not discussed during a recent meeting between the institute and eight provincial cabinet ministers, including premier Gary Filmon, said executive director Marian Perrett.
“All non-profits (groups) are looking to stabilize their funding concerns and looking at partnerships,” she said.
The cabinet had an “informal dialogue” with the institute on several issues including health care and midwifery, education, rural child care, job training and scholarships, and concerns about young offenders.
Perrett resigned Jan. 31 from her position. Shirley Bell will assume the executive administrator’s duties for the next five months. Then the job requirements will be evaluated.
Feb. 19 has been named Women’s Institute Day, marking the contribution of the 29,000 Canadian rural women belonging to clubs.
